The Culling by Robert Johnson

The Culling by Robert Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The title tells all but what is doesn't say is the magnitude of problem facing the human race. This is expertly described within the storyline by Robert Johnson. With the worldwide population increasing beyond comprehension Dr Carl Sims of the CDC finds himself at the centre of a plot to dramatically reduce the planet's populace, to allow it to recover from the decades of over exploitation and pollution. Carl's father had originally highlighted the problem by establishing population clocks in major cities but to date no one had really taken any notice. Will this plot succeed and how will it shape the future of the world.

The author has written an exciting thriller, which is for most of the time fast moving and entertaining, albeit with some dire visions of what could happen.

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Shadows of Death by Jeanne M. Dams

Shadows of Death by Jeanne M. Dams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This my first Dorothy Martin mystery and may well be my last. I have stretched the rating to 3 stars, but to be very honest I struggled to stay the course. Written in the first person it is an unusual read, styled like a Miss Marple type mystery, and very slow pace with minimal excitment. Dorothy and her husband retired policeman Alan Nesbit travel to the Orkneys on holiday and get involved in a mysterious death. The whole story is set against the background of the islands neolithic history. The story is okay but lacks any real punch, dwelling too much on their dog Watson. The dog has no relevance that merits the attention given, although it does seek out two clues during the investigation. In summary I have been generous with 3 stars, but believe it will suit some readers looking for a mystery without thrills - not my choice.

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Paths of Courage by Mike Woodhams

Paths of Courage by Mike Woodhams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Looking for good fashioned espionage based action thriller, look no further. This story starts with action and does not stop until the conclusion, my type of book - pure entertainment. Omega team, an elite British black operations unit led by Frank Ryder, is given the task of tracking a deadly virus and retrieving a vaccine. To do this he has help from Grace Seymour a scientist from Porton Down. Whilst Omega are tracking the virus, the latest British hunter killer submarine is looking for a rogue Russian Delta sub. Are the two linked?

Mike Woodhams has to be congratulated for a superb book, like a 007 movie in type.

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The Defections by Hannah Michell

The Defections by Hannah Michell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not normally my genre, but attracted by the subject matter I decided to curb my need for thrills. As the title suggests the story is about defections, north Koreans going south, but primarily it describes the relationship of Mia, a British embassy translator obsessed with an attractive married diplomat named Thomas. To set up and layout the background of this story takes so long, that only a third remains when you start to get some real action. In this build up we are given an insight into the lives of not only Koreans affected by the division of the country, but also of the diplomats stationed there. With a lot of questions from her childhood unanswered it has left her as an outsider in her own family. Mia tries to overcome this by becoming totally absorbed in her ambition to better herself. Will she succeed in getting the answers she wants?

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Death Surge by Pauline Rowson

Death Surge by Pauline Rowson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this a difficult book to rate. In the end I have decided on 4 stars as it merits more than 3. DI Andy Horton the main character in this Portsmouth based police detective story, has a background which is not fully explained as this is the most recent in a series of mysteries by Pauline Rowson. The story line is based round the sailing fraternity on the south coast and how sailing is a major part of their lives, and are willing to kill for it. One of Andy Horton's colleagues nephew goes missing and starts an investigation that has a growing body count.

Overall this is a good story but is slow to gather pace with the detectives guessing rather than working with solid clues. It does speed up concluding well. Lingering in the background however is the thread from the series which is not answered or even makes much progress, this could have been handled better. Otherwise a good book.

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Paris City of Night by David Downie

Paris City of Night: A Jay Grant Thriller by David Downie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jay Grant son of a CIA agent is a journalist turned photography historian / expert uncovers some strange happenings, his journalistic instincts take over, and starts to investigate, drawing himself and girlfriend Amy further and further into danger. Set in Paris this spook thriller has the feel of actually being set in Paris a hundred years earlier. The description and detail of early photography creates this effect, even although the mobile phone and other present day devices are ever present. This is a book you have to work at, as the action does not really grip you until well into the second half. Overall it is an okay book but, could have been much better with less photography lesson and more action.

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Top 5 Books of 2013 by Basingstone Book

As a new reviewer at the beginning of this year I have found it difficult to select my top 5 books of 2013. My list is simple, it is the books I have read, and the top 5 are the best, as they offer what I want in a book. They must have entertainment in abundance, they must keep you involved and most of all it cannot be a chore to read. All of my top 5 meet this criteria easily and in my reviews they have been awarded either 4 stars or the rare 5 stars.

I have great admiration for the authors, as I find it difficult to write an interesting page, they write hundreds and most of the time it all makes sense. So here is my personal top 5 of 2013 in reverse order.





5. Deep Deception by James North

This is an excellent thriller by James North, in my headline on retail site review I used " Climate change extreme measures". With all the Greenpeace protests in the Russian polar regions it is a very topical subject and highlight real world problems that need to be addressed. Read my full review

I must mention however the book pushed to number 6 by Deep Deception. The German Suitcase by Greg Dinallo was very good and only just missed out on the top 5. Review



4. Target Churchill by Warren Adler

Transported back to a post war era this book so well written you would think it was a historical novel. The title hides nothing, this is about an attempt to assassinate Winston Churchill. The author also explores relationships in politics and tough times. Read my full review




3. Critical Reaction by Todd M Johnson

Todd M Johnson has produced an outstanding story of the nuclear clean up of a old plutonium factory a relic of the cold war or is it? A worker starts litigation against a corporate giant for over exposure to radiation, calling on an old college friend to help. The author has done a great job in keeping technicalities easy to understand allowing concentration on the story that unfolds. This is a superb thriller. Read my full review.



2. Vanishing Trail by Stephen Kosa

When I wrote my review for this book I said it was one of my fastest reads ever and this is still the case. The writing is excellent everything is connected and not a piece of flab in sight. I was hooked from the very beginning and was entertained throughout with believable characters, sound plot and twists and turns to the end. Read my full review.




1. Excessive Entanglement by Nick d'Arbeloff

Star Trek and The West Wing what could be better? This book combines two my favourite TV shows with a storyline of colonisation of a distant world.  Nick d'Arbeloff  has obviously researched his material well, as all the future events fit well with the Sci-fi we all love. The politics highlights the many problems of mixing religion with anything requiring collaboration across communities and borders, very relevant today and in the future. Read my full review.


Congratulations to Nick d'Arbeloff for getting my number one choice, it is thoroughly deserved. I hope next year will produce at least the standard as this year which I have enjoyed enormously. Thanks to the authors, publishers and Netgalley for supporting me in this first year as a reviewer.